Never Never’s Juniper Freak a hit in Hong Kong

South Australian distillery Never Never Distilling Co.’s Juniper Freak Gin has scooped Best in Show at the Global Gin Masters Asia.

Never Never Distillery Co owners and founders Sean Baxter, Tim Boast and George Georgiadis at their West Thebarton distillery. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

“An outstanding gin in every way, loved the juniper and the overall balance. Just brilliant from start to finish.” That’s the verdict of head judge Ken Mann after tasting South Australian distillery Never Never Distilling Co.’s Juniper Freak Gin at the Global Gin Masters Asia held in Hong Kong. Judges awarded the gin multiple accolades, including Best in Show.

It follows the success of Adelaide Gin at the same awards.

”Our Juniper Freak Gin won the only Masters in Show, making it best in class out of 60 entries,” says George Georgiadis, managing director of Never Never.

Never Never’s Juniper Freak Gin’s Masters in Show win was the highest award on offer, topping the category of Navy Strength Gin and winning Best in Show in the process, beating 60 other global and local entries.

Their Triple Juniper Gin and Southern Strength Gin also picked up gold medals in their respective categories.

Never Never Distilling Co’s Southern Strength Gin

“The judges clearly love their juniper,” says brand director Sean Baxter.

“It’s great to see juniper back in the conversation when it comes to award-winning gins. It shows a massive swing back to the characteristics that gin is all about; bold, intense and juniper-forward,” says Baxter.

Never Never’s Triple Juniper Gin

The top result adds to Never Never’s list of accolades including World’s Best Classic Gin at the World Gin Awards, London, and double gold medals at the San Francisco and Singapore World Spirit Competitions and Champion Gin and Champion Spirit of Show at Adelaide’s Royal Australian Spirit Awards.

“We’re incredibly humbled and excited by the awards,” comments Tim Boast, head distiller at Never Never.

“It’s just another validation that the decision we made right from the outset to focus on juniper was the right one.

“We enter awards not just for validation, but also for independent feedback,” Tim says. “It’s this consistency that is so crucial in making a quality, successful product.”

The team, which after two years consists of five full-time staff members, are currently building a new HQ at Chalk Hill, McLaren Vale. The new distillery will be open in summer for tastings, tours and cocktails.